By BRIAN HATYOKA –
A STRAY elephant from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has trampled to death a 41-year-old woman of Livingstone’s Sinde area when she was returning home after escorting relatives.
Department of National Parks and Wildlife senior wildlife warden for Southern Region Lusizi Mwale said the elephant killed Priscar Muketoi of Mwaka Farm on Wednesday night around 20:00 hours.
Ms Mwale said in an interview that the body of the deceased was found and taken to Livingstone Central Hospital mortuary.
“I can confirm that Priscar Muketoi of Mwaka Farm in Livingstone’s Sinde area was trampled to death by an elephant on Wednesday night around 20:00 hours.
“Wildlife officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife are making efforts to locate the animal and so far we haven’t seen it,” Ms Mwale said.
According to eye-witnesses, who declined to be named, Ms Muketoi was attacked by the animal on Wednesday night as she was returning home together with her husband after escorting visitors.
“What happened was that the deceased and her husband had successfully escorted people who came to visit their home.
“On their way back, they found elephants and then her husband stood still near a tree while the deceased decided to run away and that was how she was attacked,” the source said.
The source said the remains of the deceased and her clothes were cut into pieces and the residents had to collect the parts one after the other.